The City of Ann Arbor has built its Justice Center following the Leadership in Energy and Evironmental Design (LEED) practices.

Buildings in Ann Arbor account for over 60% of our total carbon dioxide emissions.

The City of Ann Arbor's Justice Center is a five-story, 103,000 square-foot, $47.4 million project that opened in 2011. The building provides space for the 15th District Court, Ann Arbor Police operations, and the city's Information Technology unit. In accrodance to the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), the high-performance building "envelope" has walls, windows and roofing designed to keep the cold and heat outside while maintaining comfortable interior temperatures.  

The specially-engineered window glass and walkway overhangs provide shade from the hot summer sun when the sun is high in the sky. During the winter months, heating costs are reduced because the solar warmth is able to filter through the ceramic-banded glass walls when the sun is lower in the sky.

Natural day-lighting is optimized throughout the building by using occupancy sensors. High-efficiency task lighting lamps provide illumination only where and when needed.

Water conservation is supported through the use of low-flow fixtures and rooftop solar water heaters.

Air quality is protected with natural ventilation and by the use of low-VOC construction materials and cleaning products.